News and views from the Blavatnik School of Government community 
The devastating 2019–20 Australian bushfire season seems a lifetime ago. With the vast changes we have seen to our daily lives brought on by the spread of COVID-19, it’s hard to believe the bushfire season only officially ended in March. The extent of the Black Summer bushfires – with an […]
The bushfires in Australia are unprecedented and devastating. Yet one of the most inspiring things in the wake of the destruction is the outpouring of support from Australians and friends overseas to donate to the rural fire services, humanitarian organisations and animal support agencies. Giving to these organisations is meaningful […]
Australians love houses. We have a culture where home ownership is expected. A mandatory rite of passage for anyone that can rustle up a deposit. And once you have bought, the government gives you a big thumbs up with a range of special exemptions for the family home. But housing […]
On January 21st, 2015 The Australian published an article on the front page of the paper reporting on a ‘groundbreaking study’. This study showed that ‘people living near wind farms face a greater risk of suffering health complaints caused by the low-frequency noise generated by turbines’. The wording of that […]
Is a ‘best practice’ approach to international aid getting in the way of solutions that might be ‘best fit’? Tim McMinn reviews Ben Ramalingam’s new book, Aid On The Edge Of Chaos Bali is a place most Australians are familiar with. If you haven’t visited yourself, chances are you have […]
Despite assurances that we should expect “no surprises” from a Coalition Government, the new Prime Minister delivered a big one last month on the 18th of September with the announcement of plans to reintegrate AusAID back into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. As has been noted on this […]